Something's weird on Gilead Road - Carolina Weekly Newspapers

NewsCornelius’ most pressingissue: Write a master planHelping businesses, policealso at top of prioritiesby Frank DeLoachefrank@huntersvilleherald.comWant to help write Cornelius’Comprehensive Master Plan?Call the town Planning Departmentat 704-896-2461 or e-mailjabernethy@cornelius.org.CORNELIUS – One of the clearmessages coming from Saturday’s townboard retreat is the importance of buildinga Comprehensive Master Plan forthe town.And because it’s so important, townofficials want to get as many citizensinvolved in the nine “study groups” andsmaller committees aspossible. Mayor ProTem Lynette Rinkerand commissioners JimBensman and ChuckTravis are leading theeffort, and Rinker saidRinkerBensmanTravistown officials want tomake a “media blitz”of local clubs and organizationsto build “abuzz” about the effortand recruit volunteers.The master plan “willbe the most importantthing we do in the nexttwo years,” Mayor JeffTarte told a joint meetingof commissionersand planning boardmembers.Throughout the Jan.9 retreat at The PeninsulaClub, officialssaid they expect masterplan study groupsand committees willset priorities and givedirection to town initiatives.For instance, when TownManager Anthony Roberts gave commissionersa three-page list of topicswhere the staff needs guidance, Robertshad noted by many items: “CMP(Comprehensive Master Plan) shouldaddress.”The plan will address immediate questions,such as what the town should doto create a “lake gateway” in developingthe intersection of Nantz Road andWest Catawba Avenue. If done right,Tarte said, the town might create an atmosphereof quaint shops, restaurantsand other attractions leading to LakeNorman.In the long view, the master plancommittees might recommend – or dismiss:• Tarte’s idea of promoting a lengthyboardwalk redevelopment along Cornelius’stretch of the lake – roughlyfrom Admiral’s Quarters south to WoodDuck Cove.More than once, Tarte and othertown leaders said Cornelius, partly becauseof its lengthy shoreline, has theopportunity to become “the place onthe lake.”• A plan to preserve rural farmlandeast of N.C. 115, between Smith andMayes roads. Tarte threw out the ideaof creating a version of “BrookgreenGardens,” the park known for its elaborategardens and statuary between MyrtleBeach and Georgetown, S.C.So far, the master plan committeehas defined nine general study areas toaddress: education, government, economicdevelopment, transportation,land use, quality of life, housing, theenvironment and marketing-branding.Helping local businesses, policeTown officials struggled about what –if anything – the town could do to helplocal businesses survive and attract newones to Cornelius.They agreed that right now, Cornelius,largely offers only “destination”retail, such as grocery stores or pharmacies,in which people drive directlyto those businesses and drive away. Thetown doesn’t have a Birkdale Village ordowntown Davidson where people gowith the idea of spending time walkingaround and visiting.But Commissioner Dave Gilroy saidhe thinks Cornelius boasts more entrepreneursand home-based businessesand he favors “leaving it to the privatesector” to decide who survives the current“historic recession.”While acknowledging “I don’t knowwhat to do,” Bensman said doing nothingis not the best option either. Hesuggested town officials meet with thecompanies that own the town’s largeretail centers to see if they have suggestions.Bensman and his wife also own asmall business – Camp Wagging Tails –and he said small businesses have theirown ideas how the town could help.Throughout the retreat, Tarte saidhe feels the town needs to give moreresources to the police department.The mayor said the department needsmore officers so the department isn’tstrained by multiple incidents and canaddress problems in neighborhoods.Police services are broader than gettingmore officers and training. Tarteand town leaders continue to say northMecklenburg needs its own magistrate,saving victims, and officers time.Cornelius Police Chief Bence Hoyle,Tarte and others are also talking tocounty officials about providing better– or, in some cases, the first – serviceto homeowners in the town’s extra-territorialjurisdiction, an area the townzones outside its borders. Town officialsalso are concerned about protecting tolakefront properties from burglars, bypatrolling in the water. qBeautiful SmilesWe take great pride inproviding excellent dentalcare whether it is a minorrestoration or a completesmile makeover. Our stateof-the-artfacility allowsus to ensure that you arepleased with your newbeautiful smile.Please call 704-895-3858to schedule an appointmentor stop by and letus give you and your familysomething to smile about.CreatingEveryday• New Patients Always Welcome• Same Day Appointments• In-Office & At-Home Whitening• Veneers, Lumineers & Bonding• Most Insurance Accepted• Free Consultation• Complete Family Care• Cosmetics Emphasized• Payment Plans Available• Invisalign ® Orthodontics• All Porcelain Crowns• Emergency CareScott P. Guice, DDSJulianne Colvin, DDS9615-A NorthCross Center Ct., Huntersville(Across from Home Depot at NorthCross)704-895-3858www.lakenormandentistry.comPictured above: Scott Guice, DDS & his familyBIRKDALEExit 25I-77HOMEDEPOTHwy. 21LOWESTARGETSam Furr RoadNorth Cross Center Ct.www.huntersvilleherald.com The Herald Weekly • Jan. 15-21, 2010 • Page 11